Newsletter
Head for the Hills: Japan’s Mountain Regions in Summer
Summer in Japan can get hot and sticky, especially in low-lying major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. But the season does not have to mean humidity, crowds, and discomfort. Instead, move into the mountains and the climate shifts significantly. For travelers looking to escape the heat without sacrificing culture, cuisine, or comfort, Japan’s high altitude mountain regions come into their own.
HEAD FOR THE HILLS: JAPAN’S MOUNTAIN REGIONS IN SUMMER
Summer in Japan can get hot and sticky, especially in low-lying major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. But the season does not have to mean humidity, crowds, and discomfort. Instead, move into the mountains and the climate shifts significantly. For travelers looking to escape the heat without sacrificing culture, cuisine, or comfort, Japan’s high-altitude mountain regions come into their own.
TIME FOR TOHOKU
Along the trails of Mount Chokai.
Northern Japan feels at its best in summer, when mountain routes that are often blocked by snow during winter reopen beneath clear skies and mild temperatures. For travelers who have already experienced classic Japan, the relatively undiscovered region of Tohoku offers something more seasonal and under the radar: alpine hikes through beech forests and flower fields, sacred peaks, volcanic landscapes, and festivals that unfold far from the standard tourist circuit. Take a journey around events such as Akita's Kanto Matsuri or Sendai Tanabata, or simply focus on the outdoors, where long daylight hours and pleasant temperatures make the region one of Japan’s finest summer hiking destinations. In Iwate, newly opened AZUMA FARM Koiwai offers a more rural counterpoint: a 24-villa retreat in Shizukuishi, set within the historic Koiwai Farm, with farm-to-table dining, private saunas, and easy access to the wider landscapes and craft traditions of the region. We are particularly excited by this new property because the creative force behind it is Adrian Zecha, the visionary founder of the acclaimed Aman hotel group.
HOKKAIDO’S NORTHERN MAGIC
Summer blooms in Furano and Biei, Hokkaido.
Hokkaido in summer unfolds in wide marshlands, volcanic lakes, and lavender fields. Begin in Kushiro, where red-crowned cranes stalk the wetlands and canoes drift along the Kushiro River before evenings of robata-grilled seafood fresh from the coast. Further east, Akan National Park shifts between smoking volcanic slopes at Mt. Io and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Mashu. Furano and Biei bring a softer side to the island, with lavender fields at Farm Tomita, flower-filled hills at Shikisai no Oka, the surreal Blue Pond, and creamy local cheeses that showcase Hokkaido’s famously rich dairy culture. In Shiretoko, one of Japan’s last great wilderness regions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boat cruises offer the chance to spot brown bears along the shoreline, while the serene Five Lakes reflect dense forests and distant peaks
FUJI-SAN AWAITS
Kayaking on Lake Motosu beneath Mount Fuji.
Mount Fuji does not need to be summited or even partially climbed to leave an impression. Around Kawaguchiko and the Fuji Five Lakes region, summer is ideally spent walking forest trails known as shinrin-yoku, exploring volcanic caves, cycling routes, and lake landscapes, all framed by views of Japan’s most recognizable peak. Canoeing on still morning waters, soaking in a private onsen, or simply watching clouds shift around Fuji from a ryokan terrace can feel every bit as rewarding as reaching the summit itself. Properties such as Fufu Kawaguchiko and Gora Kadan Fuji bring together outdoor access with polished hospitality, creating a softer and more restorative way to experience the sacred mountain in summer.
PLAY IT COOL IN KARUIZAWA
Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa.
Karuizawa is known as the Hamptons of Tokyo for high-net-worth Tokyoites who take the bullet train just an hour north into the stunning mountains of Nagano. The appeal lies in its balance of cool mountain air, forest scenery, art spaces, cafés, cycling paths, and hot springs, all delivered with a polished sense of ease. Rather than dramatic hiking, the focus here is on gentler pleasures: woodland walks beneath Mount Asama, afternoons spent browsing galleries, bookshops and bakeries, and evenings cooling down beside rivers and forests. HOSHINOYA Karuizawa and Hiramatsu Karuizawa Miyota anchor the sophisticated experience with waterside villas, wellness-driven programming, and one of Japan’s most refined mountain resort settings.
NIKKO'S RICH TAPESTRY
Lake Chuzenji and Mount Nantai, Nikko.
Located in the historic and highly spiritual Tochigi prefecture, Nikko combines mountain scenery with some of Japan’s richest cultural heritage. Forested temple complexes and cedar-lined shrines, including the UNESCO-listed Toshogu Shrine, sit within a wider landscape of lakes, waterfalls, marshlands, and volcanic peaks. Summer brings cooler temperatures and easy access to the surrounding national park, where Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls provide a greener, quieter rhythm than the capital. With luxury bases such as The Ritz-Carlton Nikko, and FUFU Nikko, the region works particularly well for travelers seeking a combination of nature, spirituality, and comfort without having to commit to demanding trekking routes.
#TAKEMETOREMOTELANDS
AS FEATURED IN
The Wall Street Journal • Town & Country • Departures • Travel + Leisure • Forbes • Condé Nast Traveler • BusinessWeek • National Geographic Traveler • Palm Beach Post • Chicago Tribune • Financial Times • BBC • Fox Business News • The New York Times
REMOTE LANDS, INC.
120 East 56th Street, Suite 1600 PH, New York, NY 10022 USAPhone: +1.212.518.1618
Email: [email protected]
REMOTE LANDS (THAILAND) CO., LTD
9/F Mahatun Plaza, 888/94-95 Ploenchit Rd., Bangkok 10330 ThailandPhone: +66.2651.5401
Email: [email protected] Copyright © 2026 REMOTE LANDS, INC.
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
|